Grief expert David Kessler weighs in on Michael Jackson's children appearing at his public memorial. He says the eldest daughter's public comments were appropriate if she chose to do them, and notes that children process grief over time in their own ways, like when the youngest clutched a doll for comfort.
Questions this video answers
Prince Michael II (the youngest, age seven) is also known as Blanket.
Prince Michael (the oldest son) is 12 years old.
An 11-year-old's moment is described as 'heartbreaking' and 'courageous.'
Chapters
And I just wanted to say I love him so much now. Expert analysis of the 11 year old's heartbreaking courageous moment.
What do you think about the fact that she actually made those comments in front of millions of people? Was it a good or a bad idea?
I think it was great. I think it was great that she was out front. First of all, you can't force a child to do something. So she was there because she wanted to be there. That's a moment where I think we forgot the public Michael Jackson and we remembered that he's her father. He's those children's father.
You saw Janet console her after she finished speaking.
Those are relationships that you can tell have been in place and are strong. Any concern we have about what's the kid's relationship like with the family we saw, it's a good relationship.
Kessler, who wrote on grief and grieving with renowned grief expert Elizabeth Kubler Ross, met Michael through their mutual friend Elizabeth Taylor. He says what the Jackson children need most now is time.
Kids don't process grief the way we do. It's done in time. And that grief is always held safely for them until they're ready. As they get a little older, they'll process more.
The youngest seven year old, Prince Michael ii, also known as Blanket, was seen clutching a Michael Jackson doll throughout the day.
That comforts him. Maybe he got that from Michael. Maybe it represents a special time they all had. But there's something special that that doll is present there.
At 12, the oldest son, Prince Michael, chomped on gum and closely watched every moment of the memorial.
Do you think that they should have been exposed to everything that they were to today?
I think that they will feel so good looking back that they were a part of this so many times. In reality, the kids are kind of pushed aside in a funeral, but not with this family. They kept them right there where they wanted to be.
